I-95 Decision Moved Back

Construction delays on a new section of Interstate 95 from PGA Boulevard to Donald Ross Road have pushed back at least to late September a decision on whether to open the stretch early.

Department of Transportation engineers initially hoped the 2.3-mile stretch would be completed by late this month and possibly opened to local traffic by early September. But a problem relocating underground telephone cables delayed the project 20 days, and other ``last-minute`` work has further stalled the completion date, project manager Ray Klein said.

The section is part of the 30-mile ``missing link`` of I-95 being constructed between Palm Beach Gardens and Stuart. The entire length is scheduled to open on Dec. 19, Klein said.

A decision on whether to open the southernmost stretch early will not be made until the section is completed in late September or early October. But the chances diminish as the Dec. 19 opening date draws nearer, he said.